CCC Round 1! Its_A_Random vs. Imanalt! (reffed by Flamestrike)

Brandon stood up in the announcer's booth of the ASB Arena, ready to host one of four matches in the first round of the CAPASB Casual Circuit. Lou and him had put a fair amount of work into preparing this small tournament, and they were hoping it would run without a hitch and that they could get a cycle of them going. But that would have to wait, as first he had a match to commentate for. Wasting no more time, he grabbed the mic and addressed the crowd. "Hello ladies and gents and welcome to the ASB Arena for a Round 1 match of the CAPASB Casual Circuit!" The cheers from the crowd let Brandon know that the people were excited for this, which was good; the whole point of this was to give the fans and trainers of ASB some excellent matches to watch.

"Our first battler today is one of the old guard of ASB," he continued, "and our top seed to boot! He's the Ground type Gym Leader and one of the tougher nuts to crack on the Gym circuit! Give it up for Its_A_Random!" The crowd gave a rousing cheer as IAR walked into the arena. Interestingly enough, the Ground type Gym Leader had brought a very not-Ground type team; in fact, were it not for the Chandelure at the bottom of the list IAR's team wouldn't look out of place in Athenodoros's Water Gym. However, that didn't mean much; IAR could use any set of Pokemon and give any trainer a run for their money.

Allowing the cheering to die down, Brandon continued. "And his opponent today definitely has a tall task, but I'm sure he's up to the challenge! Though he's not a Gym Leader he's proven to be quite the capable trainer, and with a diverse, balanced team he may just be able to pull off the upset today! Here he is, Imanalt!" Imanalt came out to another chorus of cheers. Brandon saw that he had mostly avoided his prefered Ground types, which given IAR's Water-heavy team was probably for the best; it would be interesting to see if Imanalt could take advantage of the type-stacking IAR had done and give his fellow Ground type master more of a fight than he might be expecting

Again, Brandon had to wait for the cheering to die down before he could continue. "Now then, let's quickly look at the rules. Each Trainer has brought four Pokemon with them, but they will each only be able to use two of them! Switching is legal, and when each trainer sends out a new Pokemon, they will be able to equip it with an item if they so desire. Pokemon are able to use all of their abilities, and each trainer will get two substitutions for their orders. Now then, let's find out who orders first!" Brandon hit a button, and a huge coin showed up on the big screen. "Heads means that IAR will send out his Pokemon first, tails means that Imanalt will send out first!" He hit the button again and the coin flipped...

-> RNG roll to see who sends out first (1-5000=IAR sends out first, 5001-10000=Imanalt sends out first) -> 9194 (Imanalt sends out first)

The coin landed with the tails side showing. "TAILS! Looks like Imanalt will have to send out his Pokemon first, equipping an item if he chooses, then IAR will do the same and give his orders. Then Imanalt will order, and then I'll give an update! Now then, let's not waste any more time, and let's get started!" Brandon turned off the mic and sat back. Announcing was a decent bit of work, but it was worth it to be paid to watch a match like this.

Imanalt, you're up!

Leading gastrodon @ expert belt

"I suppose... Our hand has been forced. Sleast, come on out & partake in this possible mirror-match! Carry this Rare Candy with you, & prove your worth!"

Hidden Power > Earth Power > Hidden Power
IF Mirror Coat is issued, THEN use Earthquake that action, pushing actions back.
IF (Damaging Grass Move) is issued, THEN use Mirror Coat that action, pushing actions back.

Yay for illusion
Skill swap (weak armor for storm drain), quiver dance, tail glow

Gastrodon [Sleast] (M) @ Rare Candy
HP: 110
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (5 w/ Rare Candy) (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 100
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Storm Drain, Sand Force

Gastrodon [Gastrodoom] (M) @ Expert Belt
HP: 110
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 100
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Storm Drain, Sand Force

Brandon watched as Imanalt grabbed a Pokeball from his belt and released Gastrodoom the Gastrodon! Not to be outdone, IAR released his own Gastrodon, Sleast! "Alright, now that the Pokemon are on the field, let the battle begin!" Brandon called to the fans. Falling into his announcer role, he commentated as the Pokemon fought. "And here we go! Looks like Gastrodoom is a fair bit faster than Sleast despite the mirror match, and it looks like he's going for... Wait a second, that was a Skill Swap!" Brandon was only momentarily confused; he realized pretty quickly what was going on. However, rather than spoil it for the fans he decided to leave it go unexplained for now. "Not sure how Gastrodoom learned that, or how it even got Weak Armor as an ability, but it seems like now Sleast has Weak Armor and Gastrodoom has Storm Drain! Never mind the fact that it should already have Storm Drain... At any rate, now it looks like Sleast is going on the offensive, and oh my! That's a Hidden Power Grass right there! That should hurt a lot! And, oh man, that just hit a weak spot for a critical hit to boot! And yet... Is it just me or did Gastrodoom just shrug that off like it was nothing?" Brandon smiled. Imanalt had done well to get himself this opportunity; the only question now was whether or not he could make the most of it.

"Alright then," Brandon continued, "now Gastrodoom is... Going for a Quiver Dance!? Just what is going on here?! That boosted Gastrodoom's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, but how is Gastrodoom pulling these moves off? Sleast is responding with an Earth Power, and that should hurt pretty hard with Sleast's Rare Candy boosting it as well, but yet again Gastrodoom just shrugs it off like it was nothing! Either that Gastrodon has been eating a lot more vitamins than should be legal, or something is fishy here!"

"And now, maybe we'll see Gastrodoom use a move that makes sense for one of his kind? Oh, of course not, instead it's using Tail Glow! The thing doesn't even have a tail! How does that even work? At any rate, its Special Attack was sharply boosted, but I have a pretty good feeling that isn't Gastrodoom. Sleast fires off another Hidden Power Grass, but without the critical hit it's even less effective than before! There's no way a Gastrodon could take a grass move that easily... An Aurumoth, on the other hand, certainly could!" Sure enough, as the round ended the Illusion surrounding bug2 faded, leaving a very much boosted Aurumoth to face down the real Gastrodon. "I'm not sure if I agree with using so much time to set up, but at the same time bug2 has quite the advantage right now," Brandon mused as the trainers prepared for the next round. "I wonder how IAR will deal with this, and if Imanalt can press the advantage enough that the fact that he's locked himself into Gastrodoom as his second and final Pokemon will be irrelevant."


Gastrodon [Sleast] (M) @ Rare Candy
HP: 110
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (5 w/ Rare Candy) (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 84
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Weak Armor (off), Sand Force

Aurumoth [bug2] (M) @ Expert Belt
HP: 86
Atk: Rank 5
Def: Rank 4
SpA: Rank 4
SpD: Rank 3 (+)
Spe: 81 (141.75 (142) w/ +1) (-10%)
Energy: 76
Abilities: Storm Drain, No Guard, Illusion (broken)
+4 SPA
+1 SPD
+1 SPE

Imanalt, you're up!

psychic, quiver dance, psychic
IF mirror coat when you would use psychic use megahorn that action

"At least he will struggle in the endgame... Reverse these boosts as if he did nothing."

Hyper Beam > Clear Smog > Blizzard

Gastrodon [Sleast] (M) @ Rare Candy
HP: 110
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (5 w/ Rare Candy) (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 84
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Weak Armor (off), Sand Force

Aurumoth [bug2] (M) @ Expert Belt
HP: 86
Atk: Rank 5
Def: Rank 4
SpA: Rank 4
SpD: Rank 3 (+)
Spe: 81 (141.75 (142) w/ +1) (-10%)
Energy: 76
Abilities: Storm Drain, No Guard, Illusion (broken)
+4 SPA
+1 SPD
+1 SPE

Seeing that the two battlers were about to start the next round, Brandon stepped back up to the mic. "Alright, here we go again! Now that he's been revealed, bug2 is going on the offensive! Here it comes, a massive Psychic attack! With all the boosts that bug2 has, that had to hurt! But Sleast is a toughie, and here he comes with a counter-attack, and oh my! It's a Hyper Beam! Looks like IAR's Gastrodon is quite the laser fish! That looked like it hurt quite a bit as well!" Brandon was a bit puzzled by the move choice; why would IAR use Hyper Beam and make himself sluggish when he had other moves like Blizzard he could use instead? He knew IAR too well to think it was a mistake; the Ground type Gym Leader had a plan, Brandon just wasn't sure what it was yet.

"And now it looks like bug2 is going for another Quiver Dance! Smart play, boosting Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed yet again! And now those boosts will stick around till next round! And..." Brandon was stunned speechless as he saw the brilliance of IAR's plan. A thin fog suddenly enveloped the Aurumoth, and Brandon saw it immediately weaken. That was why IAR had used Hyper Beam and allowed Sleast to be sluggish; Sleast didn't need that much effort to use that attack. Realizing that he should still be commentating, he continued, "Oh no! Imanalt is in serious trouble now! That was a Clear Smog, and now all of bug2's boosts have been erased! Suddenly all of that advantage he got from his illusion is gone!" To say Imanalt was pissed was an understatement; he realized just how badly his screw-up could cost him.

"And now bug2 is going back to his Psychic assault, but without all those boosts it's not nearly as effective as before! And to make matters worse, Sleast is on the offensive, firing back with a Blizzard! No chance of that missing thanks to No Guard either! Imanalt has evened out the HP scores somewhat, but without those boosts from the first round, he has nothing left to show from his illusion! Can he make a comeback or will IAR bury him here?"


Gastrodon [Sleast] (M) @ Rare Candy
HP: 75
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (5 w/ Rare Candy) (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 62
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Weak Armor (off), Sand Force

Aurumoth [bug2] (M) @ Expert Belt
HP: 51
Atk: Rank 5
Def: Rank 4
SpA: Rank 4
SpD: Rank 3 (+)
Spe: 81 (141.75 (142) w/ +1) (-10%)
Energy: 57
Abilities: Storm Drain, No Guard, Illusion (broken)

"Okay Sleast, we need to continue to hustle here; one slip can hurt us."

Ice Beam > Ancientpower > Sludge Wave
IF Quiver Dance is issued, AND Clear Smog is not disabled, AND Bug2 does not have a substitute up, THEN use Clear Smog that action.
IF Megahorn is issued, AND Counter is not disabled, AND Bug2 does not have a substitute up, THEN use Counter that action.

tail glow, psychic, psychic

Gastrodon [Sleast] (M) @ Rare Candy
HP: 75
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (5 w/ Rare Candy) (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 62
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Weak Armor (off), Sand Force

Aurumoth [bug2] (M) @ Expert Belt
HP: 51
Atk: Rank 5
Def: Rank 4
SpA: Rank 4
SpD: Rank 3 (+)
Spe: 81 (141.75 (142) w/ +1) (-10%)
Energy: 57
Abilities: Storm Drain, No Guard, Illusion (broken)

Brandon watched as both trainers gave their orders, IAR with a confident smile on his face while Imanalt had a look of grim determination. Once they were done, he stepped up to the mic to call the next round! "All right, and here we go! bug2 is taking advantage of IAR ordering first and getting up a Tail Glow while he can! That'll sharply boost bug2's Special Attack! Now let's see how he makes use of it as Sleast responds with an Ice Beam!" However, to Imanalt's horror, as the Ice Beam hit a layer of ice built around the Aurumoth. "Oh no! bug2 has been slightly frozen! It won't take long for him to break out, but losing even one action right now could be disasterous!" That was an understatement; Imanalt was already behind so losing an action was absolutely devastating, especially right after using Tail Glow. Brandon was starting to wonder exactly how Imanalt could get out of this one.

"Unfortunately for Imanalt, bug2 is still frozen solid and is going to miss out on an opportunity to get a hit in! There's no way IAR is going to take mercy though, and sure enough Sleast is taking advantage of the opening with an AncientPower! That's a super effective hit ladies and gents, and it stung a fair bit!"

"But now bug2 is finally breaking free! He's thawed out and now he's looking for payback! And here it comes in the form of a boosted Psychic! Sleazy just got tossed around like a rag doll, but he's still doing just fine! And here comes some retaliation of his own in the form of a Sludge Wave! Now bug2 seems to be on his last legs, while Sleast is still looking fairly fresh. Things aren't looking good for Imanalt; can be find a way to turn this around?"

Gastrodon [Sleast] (M) @ Rare Candy
HP: 56
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (5 w/ Rare Candy) (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 44
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Weak Armor (off), Sand Force

Aurumoth [bug2] (M) @ Expert Belt
HP: 11
Atk: Rank 5
Def: Rank 4
SpA: Rank 4
SpD: Rank 3 (+)
Spe: 81 (141.75 (142) w/ +1) (-10%)
Energy: 41
Abilities: Storm Drain, No Guard, Illusion (broken)

Calculations

Action 1:
bug2 used Tail Glow -> 10 energy, bug2's SPA +3
Sleast used Ice Beam
-> RNG roll to crit (1-625 to crit) -> 7674 (no crit)
-> RNG roll to freeze (1-1000 to freeze) -> 250 (freeze)
-> RNG roll for duration (1-5000=1a, 5001-10000=2a) -> 4740 (1a)
10[BAP] + 3[Stat Dif.] = 13 damage, 7 energy, bug2 frozen (1a)

Action 2:
bug2 is frozen solid
Sleast used AncientPower
-> RNG roll to crit (1-625 to crit) -> 1763 (no crit)
-> RNG roll to boost (1-1000 to boost) -> 6160 (no boost)
(6[BAP] + 3[Stat Dif.]) * 1.5[SE] = 13.5 damage, 4 energy

Action 3:
bug2 thawed!
bug2 used Psychic
-> RNG roll to crit (1-625 to crit) -> 9617 (no crit)
-> RNG roll to drop SPD (1-1000 to crit) -> 3466 (no drop)
9[BAP] + 3[STAB] + 1.5[Stat Dif.] + 6[Boost Dif.] = 18.5 damage, 5.5 energy
Sleast used Sludge Wave
-> RNG roll to crit (1-625 to crit) -> 5287 (no crit)
-> RNG roll to poison (1-1000 to poison) -> 7893 (no poison)
10[BAP] + 3[Stat Dif.] = 13 damage, 7 energy

Round Totals:
Sleast -> -18.5 (19) HP, -18 energy
bug2 -> -39.5 (40) HP, -15.5 (16) energy

Imanalt, you're up!

switching to gastrodon @ expert belt

"... Now you are just desperate. Poncho, take the helm. This Life Orb will come in handy alright."

Switch Phase: Sleast > Poncho

Energy Ball > Giga Drain > Energy Ball
IF Mirror Coat is issued, THEN use Seed Bomb that action, pushing actions back.
IF Gastrodoom has Double Team Clones up when you act, THEN use Blizzard that action, pushing actions back.

toxic, double team (1), pain split

Ludicolo [Poncho] (M)
HP: 100
Atk: Rank 2 (-)
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 4
Spe: 70
Energy: 100
Abilities: Swift Swim, Rain Dish, Own Tempo

Gastrodon [Gastrodoom] (M)
HP: 110
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 100
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Storm Drain, Sand Force

As Brandon went to grab the mic, he was surprised to see Imanalt reaching for a Pokeball. "And what's this? It looks like Imanalt is making a switch! Out goes bug2, and in comes Gastrodoom the Gastrodon! For real this time! IAR isn't about to give Imanalt a better matchup, and makes a counter-switch! What is he going to? Oh man, it's Poncho the Ludicolo! Not good for Imanalt and his Gastrodon! Wasting no time, IAR is already calling for the Energy Ball! And oh my goodness that HURT! I think I felt that one up here! Gastrodoom definitely didn't enjoy that, but he's still going to keep fighting, and there's some Toxic for Poncho to enjoy! Combined with the Life Orb Poncho's holding, that might go far for wearing the Ludicolo down!" What Brandon didn't say was that it would take an almost Herculean effort on Imanalt's part to stay alive long enough for the Toxic to matter.

"Poncho isn't letting up in the slightest, and here comes the next attack; a Giga Drain! And oh my goodness, this is almost brutal! Gastrodoom is already looking like it's been through a war and it's only taken two attacks! But it seems content to stay on the defensive, and now it's using Double Team! But it seems to only be making one clone... Why is that?" Brandon was a bit confused; if he wanted to dodge an attack or two he would probably need at least two clones, if not three or four.

"Hmm... Looks like Poncho is changing it up again! And look at that, it's a Blizzard! That dissipated Gastrodoom's clone, but Gastrodoom is still up!" Now Brandon saw the wisdom; by abusing IAR's preparations Imanalt had bought Gastrodoom the chance to get one more attack in. But what would it be? "Now might be Gastrodoom's last chance to turn this around... But that might just do it! That's a Pain Split! Suddenly Gastrodoom has greatly evened the HP totals between the two battlers! He still has a way to go, but maybe this isn't over just yet!"


Ludicolo [Poncho] (M)
HP: 69
Atk: Rank 2 (-)
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 4
Spe: 70
Energy: 76
Abilities: Swift Swim, Rain Dish, Own Tempo
BPSN (2 DPA)

Gastrodon [Gastrodoom] (M)
HP: 48
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 58
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Storm Drain, Sand Force

Imanalt, you're up!

switching back to auru, counter?

Order for Gastrodon — Initiating a Switch Phase in consecutive rounds is illegal.

Recover, sludge wave, chill
If seed bomb, counter
If damaging grass move, mirror coat

First sub has priority blah blah

"... Not everyone is afraid of such a substitution... Next..."

Giga Drain > Giga Drain > Giga Drain

Ludicolo [Poncho] (M)
HP: 69
Atk: Rank 2 (-)
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 4
Spe: 70
Energy: 76
Abilities: Swift Swim, Rain Dish, Own Tempo
BPSN (2 DPA)

Gastrodon [Gastrodoom] (M)
HP: 48
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 58
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Storm Drain, Sand Force

"And here we go, one more time. Can Gastrodoom hold off Poncho's onslaught?" Brandon called out to the crowd as the Pokemon began the next round. "Poncho is leading us off and is wasting no time! There he goes with the Giga Drain! That is an absolutely devastating blow! But look at that! Gastrodoom is glowing... and BAM! What a Mirror Coat! That was a ridiculously powerful blow! But that healing from the Giga Drain helped mitigate it somewhat, and Poncho is going right back! Another Giga Drain! Gastrodoom is glowing again... But down he goes! Gastrodoom was knocked out by that last Giga Drain! Now Imanalt will have to send out bug2 and see if he can pull off a last-minute upset!"


Ludicolo [Poncho] (M)
HP: 33
Atk: Rank 2 (-)
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 4
Spe: 70
Energy: 50
Abilities: Swift Swim, Rain Dish, Own Tempo
BPSN (3 DPA)

Gastrodon [Gastrodoom] (M)
HP: KO
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: KO
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Storm Drain, Sand Force

Its_A_Random, you're up! (Imanalt sends out Aurumoth automatically to save time)

"There are no miracles in ASB, & this match is no exception. Sleast, come back in & end this."

Switch Phase: Poncho > Sleast
Imanalt has no reserve

Blizzard > Hyper Beam > Ancientpower

Megahorn*3

Gastrodon [Sleast] (M) @ Rare Candy
HP: 56
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (5 w/ Rare Candy) (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 44
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Storm Drain, Sand Force

Aurumoth [bug2] (M) @ Expert Belt
HP: 11
Atk: Rank 5
Def: Rank 4
SpA: Rank 4
SpD: Rank 3 (+)
Spe: 81 (-10%)
Energy: 41
Abilities: Weak Armor (off), No Guard, Illusion (broken)

Brandon walked up to the mic, knowing that no matter what Imanalt did, this would likely be the final round. "And here we go! bug2 is already beaten and battered, but he won't go down without a fight! Here he goes, launching a powerful Megahorn! But it's not enough! Sleast stays standing, and fires back with a Blizzard! And that's it! bug2 has been knocked out! Your winner today is Its_A_Random!" The crowd cheered as IAR waved to them, while Imanalt recalled his Aurumoth and thanked it for its effort before walking to the middle of the battlefield. IAR joined him there as the two shook hands amid a chorus of cheers, and then the two left the field, IAR to prepare for the next round while Imanalt would be left to ponder what he could have done differently. As for Brandon, he couldn't wait to see what would come next.

Congratulations Its_A_Random!


Gastrodon [Sleast] (M) @ Rare Candy
HP: 38
Atk: Rank 3
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 4 (5 w/ Rare Candy) (+)
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 33 (-10%)
Energy: 36
Abilities: Sticky Hold, Storm Drain, Sand Force

Aurumoth [bug2] (M) @ Expert Belt
HP: KO
Atk: Rank 5
Def: Rank 4
SpA: Rank 4
SpD: Rank 3 (+)
Spe: 81 (-10%)
Energy: KO
Abilities: Weak Armor (off), No Guard, Illusion (broken)


Rewards:
Its_A_Random -> 2 CC and advances to the second round of the CCC
Sleast the Gastrodon -> 4 CC, 1 KOC
Poncho the Ludicolo -> 3 MC, 1 KOC

Imanalt -> 2 CC
bug2 the Aurumoth -> 3 MC
Gastrodoom the Gastrodon -> 3 MC

Me -> 4 UC

Great game both of you!